The Department of Science and Technology announced the passing of National Scientist and marine science expert Edgardo Gomez. He was 81.
The University of the Philippines said that Gomez expired on Sunday evening, December 1.
Gomez is the founding director of UP’s Marine Science Institute (MSI). He was noted for his breakthroughs in marine research, and in fact his team’s research is credited for the ‘world’s first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs that led to the widespread concern over the status of coral reefs.’
His study has resulted to multiple cause-oriented initiatives namely Global Reefs and Risk Analysis Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, and the International Coral Reef Action.
“One of his most notable works was his contributions in the baseline mapping of the Philippines to handle the highly-contested Spratly Islands and in the groundwork for the Archipelagic Studies Program that the UP System has established,” DOST said in its statement.
His work led him to earning the title National Scientist in 2014, the highest honor given by the Philippine president to individuals with significant contribution to the fields of science and technology.
Gomez was born on November 7, 1938. He received his BA and BS Education, summa cum laude, from the De La Salle University in 1962, his MS in Biology from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota, the United States in 1967 and his PhD in Marine Biology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California in San Diego in 1973.
Gomez served as member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Western Society of Naturalists, World Mariculture Society, National Research Council of the Philippines, and the International Society for Reef Studies.
Among award he received were inclusion in the Global 500 Roll of Honour by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1989, the Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) in Science (Marine Biology) award from the Philippine Jaycees Senate in 1992, Outstanding Science Administrator from the Department of Science and Technology in 1996, Gregorio Y. Zara Award (Basic Science) from the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science in 1998, and the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award from the Philippine Civil Service Commission in 2000.
